From the Principal

• Prayer
• EREA Principals and Directors Meeting
• College Leadership Team - Term 2 and Term 3, Weeks 1-5
• National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence
• Harmony Day
• P&F Cocktail Party - Sold Out!
• Open Day
• Enrolments for 2023 now open
• Prayers for the Lowick Family

Prayer 

This Sunday is Palm Sunday.  It is the final Sunday of Lent, the beginning of Holy Week, and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Christ in Jerusalem, days before he was crucified.

Palm Sunday is known as such because the faithful will often receive palm fronds which they use to participate in the reenactment of Christ's arrival in Jerusalem. In the Gospels, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a young donkey, and to the lavish praise of the townspeople who threw clothes, or possibly palms or small branches, in front of him as a sign of homage. This was a customary practice for people of great respect.

Palm branches are widely recognized symbol of peace and victory, hence their preferred use on Palm Sunday.

The use of a donkey instead of a horse is highly symbolic, it represents the humble arrival of someone in peace, as opposed to arriving on a steed in war.

A week later, Christ would rise from the dead on the first Easter.

Loving God,

Give us joy in our hearts as we shout Hosanna,

welcoming Jesus our King with palms,

celebrating all that we hope for as the Easter story unfolds.

Then, as the journey of Jesus turns towards Good Friday,

help us know that you are with us when celebration turns to sadness.

Give us the faith we need to follow you

on the way of the cross, which leads to life.

Amen

EREA Principals' and Directors' Meeting

The College was delighted to host the EREA Principals' and Directors' Meeting on Tuesday 23 March.  Our Year 12 students led prayer and presented our school to these senior leaders.  We have much to celebrate at St Pius X College.

College Leadership Team - Term 2 and Term 3, Weeks 1-5

As announced earlier this term, I have been given approved leave by EREA for Term 2 and Mark Casey has been appointed as Acting Principal for Term 2.

Mark Casey has been approved by EREA for leave for Term 3 Weeks 1-5.

As a result of this leave, EREA and the College have made the following appointments for Term 2 and Term 3 Weeks 1-5:

I am very confident that this will be a seamless transition in maintaining the leadership of our College and care for all students. I am very pleased to announce to announce that Mr Ross Masters will return to staff for this time to assist with various classes.

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence 

Last Friday we held a very important Assembly in the College.  The Student Empowerment Team and Mrs Veronica Bamber presented the Assembly, which included guest visitors, Mrs Mary Rajca (supporter the Sisters of Mercy Women's Refuge in Candela, Peru), and Ms Brenda Timp, Principal at Mercy College.  Staff and students discussed the importance of this day with a clear and sustained message of Respectful Relationships in our friendships, family, school and community both locally and globally.

Harmony Day 

Harmony Day was celebrated at the College at Assembly on Monday.  The event was live-streamed to the students and was a moving event with staff dressing in cultural dress and students from all Stages participating.  It was a great opportunity for  St Pius X College to acknowledge the wide range of diversity within our community.

P&F Cocktail Party - Sold Out!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone this Friday evening for the P&F Cocktail Party. Bookings have now closed for the event.  We are planning to hold the event outside, however we will move into the gym if the weather is poor.  

Special thanks to the P & F Committee and School Club Committees who are teaming up to prepare for this celebration.

The P&F are also holding a raffle with some great prizes, including travel, accommodation and restaurant vouchers, which will be drawn on the night. Please see the P&F page of this Woodchatta for further information on the raffle.

Open Day

Despite the inclement weather on Saturday, we welcomed around 1000 visitors to the College and at our Oxford Falls campus for our Open Day.  I wish to thank everyone involved at all levels. Our student tour guides were amazing, our musicians were brilliant and the many students assisting with the displays and demonstrations such as Outdoor Education, Robotics, Science, and at Oxford Falls were outstanding.  I was also able to show our visitors the proposed new Learning Hub at 39-41 Anderson Street.

The day was a great success and a true showcase of all that the College embodies. The displays of work and the involvement of many staff in the preparation for the Open Day both at Chatswood and at Oxford Falls were so very well received by visitors to our school and I pass on their appreciation. 

I share with you my Principal's Welcome on the day. 

Special thanks to our P & F for running the BBQ and for the many ways they helped to support the visitors and keep the staff nourished.  

Once again I thank the College Registrars, Mrs Christine Jennings and Mrs Melissa King, along with our super Maintenance Team for their significant efforts in preparation for the day. I share with you some Open Day photos.

Enrolments are now Open

Enrolment applications for commencement into Year 5, 6 and 7 in 2023 are OPEN NOW. Applications close on 14 May 2021.

Prayers for the Lowick Family

Last week we were advised of the passing of Mr Adam Lowick father of Austin (2020) and Lachlan (2018). Adam passed gently in his sleep at home on Monday evening. We offer our condolences and prayerful support to the family. May perpetual light shine upon him and may Adam rest in peace.

Mr John Couani - Principal